When you make a purchase through our links, we may receive a commission. [Learn More](https://cookieandkate.com/affiliate-discretion/)
**These small homemade bread crumbs can significantly enhance your dish!** They provide the ideal crispy finishing touch for casseroles, salads, and beyond. Use this recipe to create standard golden bread crumbs, or incorporate the optional spices to fill your kitchen with the aroma of a top-notch Italian eatery.
This straightforward recipe boasts far more flavor than store-bought varieties and can be preserved for months. Choose your preferred bread, whether it’s a beloved crusty sourdough or whole wheat sandwich bread. If you have stale bread left over, transform it into bread crumbs to use later (or [croutons](https://cookieandkate.com/croutons-recipe/) or [French toast](https://cookieandkate.com/french-toast-recipe/)!
## Bread Crumb Tips
You’ll find a concise instructional video and the complete recipe below. Here’s how to create the finest bread crumbs!
**Process bread into crumbs using your food processor or blender.** Indeed, a blender will suffice! Fresh or slightly stale bread can be used (refer to the note at the end of this section). Process until the bread is broken down into the smallest pieces—if uncertain, process longer.
**Butter is significantly more effective than olive oil.** My bread crumbs clumped much more when they made contact with olive oil, and those made with olive oil became soft over time after cooking, while the buttered crumbs remained delightfully crisp.
**Incorporate the bread crumbs at the right moment.** Melt the butter in the skillet and wait until the foam has mostly dissipated, then check the temperature by dropping in a few bread crumbs. If they sizzle upon contact, the butter is sufficiently hot for frying the crumbs.
**Transfer the freshly cooked bread crumbs onto a plate to cool.** This prevents the cooking process to avoid burning and gives them space to remain crisp.
**Note:** Many recipes recommend deliberately drying out your bread before usage (methods include leaving them out overnight or baking on a rack at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 20 minutes). I successfully created bread crumbs with sandwich bread directly from the store, making this step unnecessary unless the bread is *exceptionally* moist or soft.
## Uses for Bread Crumbs
These tasty bread crumbs are ideal for a **wonderful breading,** of course. Alternatively, use them as a crunchy topping on your **casseroles and gratins,** such as my [Better Broccoli Casserole](https://cookieandkate.com/better-broccoli-casserole-recipe/) and [Creamy Roasted Brussels Sprout and Quinoa Gratin](https://cookieandkate.com/brussels-sprout-quinoa-gratin/).
Think about these bread crumbs when you want to add a crispy touch to **pasta dishes,** including [mac and cheese](https://cookieandkate.com/butternut-squash-mac-and-cheese/). They’re also fantastic for **salads,** providing a lighter option compared to [croutons](https://cookieandkate.com/croutons-recipe/). Use them on my [Caesar Salad](https://cookieandkate.com/caesar-salad-recipe/) or [Lemony Kale Salad](https://cookieandkate.com/lemon-kale-salad-recipe/).
**If you enjoy experimenting with your meals,** here are some ingredients that particularly benefit from a sprinkle of golden bread crumbs:
– Arugula
– Asparagus
– Brussels sprouts
– Cauliflower
– Cheese: goat, Parmesan, pecorino
– Fennel
– Green beans
– Kale
– Lentils
– Mushrooms
– Pistachios
– Parsley
– Pesto
– Tomatoes
– Zucchini
## Bread Crumbs
These toasted, golden bread crumbs provide the ideal finishing touch! They are exponentially better than store-bought options. If your recipe calls for seasoned bread crumbs, be sure to include the optional seasonings, or leave them unseasoned for maximum flexibility. Recipe yields about 1 ¼ cups and stores well for several months.
### Instructions
1. **To create the breadcrumbs:** Tear your bread into 2-inch pieces and toss them into a food processor or blender. If desired, include the garlic powder, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Process until the bread has crumbled into very small pieces. If uncertain, process longer!
2. Place a large plate near the stove for later use. In a large stainless steel or cast iron skillet over medium heat, melt the butter until the foam has nearly disappeared, swirling the pan a few times for even distribution. Check to ensure that the pan is hot enough by dropping in a few bread crumbs—if they sizzle upon contact,